I’m taking a sign language class, we meet twice a week, and it’s one of the highlights of my week. There is a great sense of satisfaction when I actually understand what my teacher is signing (if he does it relatively slow).
There is a 70-year-old man in the class. He’s retired, wakes up anytime he wants, sleeps anytime he wants. I’m thinking, when I am 70, why would I want to take a sign language class? Even at 51 now, I wonder why I am taking this class. I will never be proficient enough to be a translator. It’s not like I meet deaf people everyday that I can communicate with. In fact, I haven’t met one since taking this class, other than the teacher. Is there a point to learning something just for the sake of learning?
Sure, there are personal benefits to learning such as keeping my brain active, and personal satisfaction of accomplishment, but is there any use to learn new things that has no practical use to others? Sure, you can say it may come in handy one day. But if I’m 70, and hanging around the house, what are the chances of needing some new skill such as sign language?
I think what I am saying is, I am afraid I will not be a productive member of society when I am old. Maybe I should learn to do things that will help others rather than learning something just for my own enjoyment and benefit.
June 12th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
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